35 Years Strong: The Power of Community, Commitment, and Care
The holiday season is a time of gratitude, hope and community. It’s a moment to reflect on the people who inspire us and the opportunities we have to lift others up. This year, as we’ve celebrated The Partnership’s 35th Anniversary, I find myself persuaded by so many wonderful individuals who stand steadfast for the success of Connecticut’s young people.
At our anniversary celebration a few weeks ago, I was proud to call incredible leaders from Connecticut’s business and philanthropic communities like Theresa Hopkins-Staten of Eversource, Michael Weinstock of M&T Bank, LaKisha Jordan of the New Alliance Foundation, Francesca Borges of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and Teshia Levy-Grant of Webster Bank, partners. These leaders along with scores of others tirelessly affirm their organization’s commitment to the idea of “Stand by Me” for our young people. Their dedication reminds me every day of the collective power we have when businesses, nonprofits and communities come together to champion the future workforce.
The impact of this collective power is evident in programs like the Norwalk Mentor Program, founded by Dr. Susan Weinberger aka Dr. Mentor, which serves 400+ students, and the West Hartford Mentoring Program, supporting 200+ K-12 students. These school-based mentoring programs, grounded in evidence-based practices, continue to answer the call to provide support for young people seeking connection and guidance on their individual paths to success. As one mentee shared, “Having a mentor is like having someone who’s always in your corner. They help me see my future differently and remind me that I can do big things.”
Just last week I was called to stop, pause and reflect on a powerful message shared by Bryan Stevenson at the 2024 OJJDP Conference. He challenged those in attendance to stand firm in hope and action. Stevenson’s call to create environments where young people feel valued and supported aligns perfectly with the work we do at The Governor’s Prevention Partnership. His words along with those of my late grandmother (Nana) and younger brother Darryll remind me that hope isn’t passive, it’s a force for change and a commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities. 
One way we can act on hope is by having honest, meaningful conversations with the young people in our lives. The holidays provide the perfect opportunity to talk about important topics in our young people’s lives including the risks of substance misuse. SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign provides tools to make these discussions easier and more impactful. Whether during Thanksgiving meal prep, decorating for the holidays or listening to your favorite tunes together, these conversations show young people that we care about and are invested in their well-being.
Beyond individual actions, we can “change the script” in our communities. Connecticut’s “Change the Script” initiative encourages to prioritize prevention and create a culture of safety and belonging. As my partner in success, Co-President Kelly Juleson says by safeguarding medications, properly disposing of unused prescriptions and sharing resources, we can take simple but significant steps to protect our young people.
Mentoring is an investment in the future. When a caring adult commits to guiding and supporting a young person for at least a year, the results are transformative. Research highlights that mentored youth are more likely to succeed academically, develop resilience and make healthier life choices. Mentors themselves often find the experience rewarding, creating connections that last a long time.
This year we’ve exceeded our goal of reaching 300 potential mentors. We are, thanks to many of you, actively working to connect 600 prospective mentors with local mentoring programs.
With all that success, there are still barriers to be addressed. The cost of background checks, critical for ensuring youth safety, are a financial barrier for many mentoring programs. Without support, our young people will lose the chance at a life-changing connection. By making a donation of $70.00 you are helping make a difference in a young person’s life by enrolling in a structured, evidence-based local mentoring program.
As we draw upon the close of 2024, this holiday season is a chance to show the young people in our lives that they belong, that they are seen and that their futures are full of potential. Whether you’re gathering for Thanksgiving, lighting candles for Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, celebrating Diwali’s Festival of Lights or welcoming the New Year, take a moment to reflect on how you can help build stronger communities and a brighter future workforce starting in your own home.
Let’s make this season one of hope-to-action as we continue the mission of The Partnership for another 35 years.
Wishing you a blessed holiday season! Together, we can make a difference.
